Spray valve structure



Nov. 5, 1953 VIII, "lo,

n. B. YETTER SPRAY VALVE STRUCTURE Filed nec. s, 1962 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent O 3,109,566 SPRAY VALVE STRUCTURE Dean B. Yetter, Hebron, itl., assignor to Crown Industrial Products Company, Woodstock, Iii., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 241,9ti2 14 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates to pressurized garden sprays and in particular to a means for providing a metered amount of propellant to pressurize a spray tank, and is a continuation-impart of my co-pending application Serial No. 47,866, tiled August 5, 1960, now abandoned.

One purpose of the present invention is a pressurized garden spray which does not utilize the conventional pump to pressurize the spray tank.

Another purpose is an improved metering valve for use in a pressurized garden spray.

Another purpose is an improved pressurizing means for a garden spray or the like wherein a metered amount of propellant, suticient to pressurize a given spray tank, is introduced therein.

Another purpose is a garden spray utilizing a pressure 'cartridge or aerosol can to supply sufficient pressure to operate the spray.

Another purpose is an improved method of pressurizing a Agarden spray tank wherein a metered amount of a suitable propellant, for example Freon, is admitted into the tank prior to use.

Another purpose is a metering valve for use in a pressurized garden spray or the like which is adapted to close after the proper amount of propellant has been taken trom a pressure cartridge.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, claims and drawings.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a `vertical section of the garden spray tank of this invention,

FIGURE 2 is a section showing the metering valve of this invention in one position, and

FIGURE 3 is a section showing the metering vaive in further position.

A generally cylindrical tank 1d may have an upwardly domed bottom 12 and a top wall 142- With a generally central aperture 16. As clearly shown in FIGURE l, there may be an upturned ange or lip 17S surrounding the iilling opening or aperture i6. A generally circular plate or the like 2t) may be positioned in the opening 16 and may have an outwardly and downwardly extending iange or lip 22 which cooperates with the lip 13 and a seal ring 24 positioned therebetween to seal the opening 2'l6. Secured to the plate 2d is a handle structure 26 including diametrically opposed bracket members 23 and 3d secured at opposed points to the plate 20, and a handle 32 pivotally mounted at its opposite ends to the bracket members. The piate 2t? and the associated handle structure are removable and when removed provide an opening for lling the tank with spray liquid. The handle structure is compieted by a pair of lugs 34 and 36 secured to the underneath side of the brackets 28 and 30. When the plate 24) is inserted in the tank, the lugs are pressed down against the ange or lip 18 thereby `forming a tight seal for the opening 16.

Attached to the underneath side of the plate 2d is a metering can 38 which in the preferred form is adapted to contain an amount of propellant suicient to completely pressurize the spray tank.

Positioned above the metering can 38 and secured to the top of the plate is an internally threaded washer 40 `Within which is mounted a sleeve 42. The sleeve 42 3109556 Patented Nov. 5, 1963' has an enlarged upper opening dit, which is threaded, to receive a threaded portion 46 of a pressure cartridge 43, which in the preferred form is an aerosol can or the like. The details of the aerosol can will not be described as they may be conventional. The aerosol can may have a release l5d which, upon being depressed, permits the iiow of the liquid propellant in the aerosol can through opening 52. The aerosol can is screwed into the opening 44 such that a projection or trigger 54 is inserted through the opening 52 and into contact with the release 50. A small '0-ring seal 56 -is placed at the bottom of the opening 44 to seal the aerosol can from the surrounding area when it is positioned in the sleeve.

Movahly mounted within the sleeve '4t2 :is a valve stem 58 which carries the projection 54 at its upper end and which forms a part of the valve member which is positioned within the metering can 33. There is a small passage or the like 6d in the upper portion of the valve stem 58 which places the hollow interior of the stem in communication with the aerosol can or pressure cartridge.

The valve stern 58 extends down into the metering can and may have a pair of small washers I62 secured thereto generally intermediate the ends of the stern. Positioned on top of the washers 62 is a small IO-ring seal 64 and positioned on top of the `O-ring 64 is a tloatable valve member `66, which preferably is formed of cork. The iioatable valve member 66 rits on. a bushing 68 which is slideable on the Valve stern. The top side of the valve member 66 may have a suitable seal ring 7) positioned thereon so thatwhen the valve member is in the up position, such as shown in FIGURE 2, the valve member wili seal OIT an exhaust port 72 in the sleeve. The port 72 is in communication with the atmosphere and with the interior of the metering can when the Hoatable valve member is in the position of EEG- URE 3.

Carried at the lower end of the valve stem 53 Iis a seal ring '74 which is adapted to seal the metering can outlet 76 when the valve is in the down position, such as shown in FIGURE 3. Normally, the metering can outlet 76 is open, such as shown in FIGURE 2. An O-ring 7S intermediate the ends of the valve stem 5S is effective to `close the metering can inlet Si), which is a small port or opening in the hollow portion of the valve stem. In other words, propellant, whether it be gaseous or liquid is admitted from the pressure cartridge down through the passage `formed by the hollow val've stem and is admitted into the metering Ican through the port 80. The pressure of the propellant, whether it be liquid or gas, is sufficient to move the O-ring 78 away rfrom the port `80, thus permitting the propellant to flow into the metering can.

A coiled spring S2 is seated upon `the bottom of the metering can and is in operable Contact with the washer 62 mounted on the valve stem 58. The coil| spring S2 normally biases the vaive stem and hence the floatable vaive member 66 to the up position of FIGURE 2, closing the exhaust port 72 and leaving the metering can outlet open. The metering can is completed by a small sleeve dit attached to the bottom ot the can and surrounding the outlet, and by a check valve d6 positioned in the sieeve. The check valve 36, which is normally closed, will pass propellant from the metering can into the interior of the spray taak, but will not permit the dow of water up into the metering can if the spray tank is iilled above the level of the outlet 76.

1A standpipe or the like S3 extends down into the spray tank to a Ilevel just above an interface 9d, which will be explained more fully hereinafter. The standpipe 553 may be suitably connected to a hose or the like 91 having a spray nozzle 92 and a suitable trigger or release 9e. I may position an assortment of nuts, bolts, rocks or other sharp objects, indicated at 96, at the bottom of the tank to facilitate the rise of bubbles forming in the liquid propellant.

In the operation of the pressuring means it is preferred that t e propellant contained in the pressure cartridge be a iluid heavier than water or heavier than the spray iiquid. Such a fluid may be liquid Freon. When the liquid lFreon is admitted from the metering can into the tark, being heavier than the spray liquid, the Freon will drop directly to the bottom of the spray tank, hence forming the interface 9h mentioned above. As clearly shown in FIGURE l, the Freon will form a layer at the bottom of the tank as it is not soluble in the spray liquid. The standpipe 8S normally stops just above the Freon level or interface so that it does not extend down into the propellant and only the spray liquid will enter the pipe. The amount of Freon or other liquid propellant that is introduced by the metering valve is consistent that the volume of the particular spray tank so that the propellant will be fully vaporized when all of the liquid is drawn out of the tank. In the preferred form Vthe amount of propellant may be approximately onehalf one percent by weight of the capacity of the spray tank. In other words, a measured shot of propellant Vis being substituted for the conventional pump, and regardless of theV amount of water or spray liquid in the tank the propellant will completely empty the tank of its contents.

The tank is sealed once the plate is inserted in the opening 316 and the handle is turned. The Freon then serves as `a pressure source. The temperature'of the tank and Iliquid -is such that once the liquid propellant is admitted into the tank, a portion of the propellant will boil o forming a pressure head above the liquid. The pressure head forces the liquid out of the tank. As the nozzle is operated and the liquid or water is sprayed, the air space above the spray liquid becomes larger and there would be a decrease in pressure except that as the liquid leaves the tank, or the volume of liquid decreases, more propel-laut will boil off to maintain the tank pressure. In other words, the propellant maintains the tank at a certain pressure consistent with tank volume and the temperature of the liquid, and independent of the volume of liquid in the tank. Thus, in the air space or pressure head there is theoretically a constant pressure always `driving the spray liquid out of the tank. lIn practice, Vthe pressure will stay constant if the liquid is sprayed at a relatively slow rate. However, if the liquid is sprayed too fast, the pressure may drop as the Freon cannot boil off fast enough. The sharp objects at the bottom will facilitate the rising of the bubbles in the Freon. When the liquid'is completely out of the tank the propellant will be fully vaporized 'and will have dropped from, for example, approximately 60 lbs. starting pressure to approximately 20`1bs. For purposes of illustration, if there is a three-gallon tank, when approximately twothirds or two gallons of the liquid is gone all of the pro` ured amount of propellant necessary to completely empty the tank.

The pressure cartridge or aerosol can 48, in addition to containing propellant, may contain a suitable insecticide or other chemical which it is desired to spray. The 'chemical may be in la concentrate in the aerosol can and will mix with the .spray liquid or water. The chemical and the propellant should intermix in the pressure cartridge and the propellant should be chosen from the Vgroup of known propellants that will vmix with theV de- URE. 2 and away from the motoring can outlet.

sired chemical spray. By combining a measured amount of propellant and a known quantity of chemical concentrate it is possible to properly proportion the chemical concentrate and water or other sprayable substance so that the spray will be of the desired strength to do the glob intended.

The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

'gShown `and described herein .is an improved pressurized garden spray or the like which is suitable for use around the home for spraying bushes, grass, flowers, etc. Conventional garden sprays of this general type utilize a hand pump or the like to supply pressure to spray the liquid from the tank. In the improved spray disclosed (herein, a pressure cartridge, which may be an aerosol can, is supplied to furnish the pressure necessary for spraying the liquid from the tank. Whereas I have described the pressure cartridge as being an aerosol can it should be understood that other types of pressure means may be used, as what is important is to provide a propellant, for example Freon, to pressurize the tank. l prefer a pressure cartridge that contains a liquid rather than a cartridge containing gas under pressure.

It is a major feature of this invention toprovide a means for admitting a measured amount of propellant into the spray Vtank such that a single shot of propellant will be completely used up in completely emptying the tank. .ln other words, it is one of the general purposes of this invention to utilize to the fullest the lliquid propellant contained `in the pressure cartridge. The metering can shown and described herein will provide exactly the proper amount of propellant to completely empty the tanks contents. The size of the metering can then, of course, will'edepend upon the volumetric capacity of the tank.

The particular metering valve described provides a proper measured metered shot of propellant for the spray tank. In the opera-tion of the metering valve, the aerosol can or pressure cartridge is pressed down upon the projection or trigger 54 such that this projection will trigger or release the pressure uid in the aerosol can. The fluid ilows down through the hollow valve stem and into the metering can. The propellant will continue to ilow into the can until the rising llluid slidably moves the floatable valve member 66 upward such that it closes the exhaust port 72. Once `the exhaust port is closed, the liquid will have risen to a point near the top of the metering can and no further liquid can be introduced into the can. The proper amount of propellant for completely pressurizing the tank is then in the metering can. The aerosol can or pressure cartridge is then removed and the spring 82 moves the valve stem to the up position of FIG- The propellant then flows out of the outlet and moves the lips of the check valve 86 apart so that the huid will ow into the spray tank. As described before, the liquid Freon Will immediately fall to the bottom of the tank, being heavier than water, where it forms a layer, below the spray liquid. The Freon will boil off forming a pressure head above the spnay liquid which will force the spray liquid out of the standpipe `and nozzle. The slideable floating valve member 66 normally rides on top the Y washer 62, hence when the valve stem is pushed downward the valve member 66 ywill move down-ward with it. Once the'rising propellant reaches the iioatable valve member it will push it upward until it closes the exhaust port 72, thus'stopping the llow of propellant into the metering can.

'In the particular spray tank shown herein the aerosol can is not carried with the tank and is only used to provide the metered shot of propellant. Once the tank is charged, the aerosol can is unscrewed and removed and the tank -is ready for use. Y I Preferably the metering can and the associated valving equipment is positioned at .the top of the spray tankand forms a part of the handle structure which opens for illing the tank. However, this is not necessary and the metering valve may be positioned at the side of the tank. Also the metering can does not have to be within the tank, although this is preferred.

An additional means of providing a measured shot of propellant is to provide a cartridge or a capsule containing propellant and having the outer covering formed of a water soluble material. The spray liquid will dissolve the water soluble covering thereby introducing a measured shot of propellant into the tank. Such cartridges may be generally similar to the small carbon dioxide cartridges used in seltzer bottles. Such a cartridge would provide a measured shot of propellant which would then operate similarly to a measured shot introduced by the metering7 valve.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown Aand described herein, it should be realized that there are many modications, substitutions and alterations thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A garden spray -including a tank adapted to contain liquid ito be sprayed, a nozzle connected to the tank and adapted to spray liquid therefrom, means adapted to cooperate with a pressure cartridge for pressurizing said tank, including a metering can attached to said tank, an inlet and outlet for passing propellant into and out of said metering can, a movable valve member positioned in said can and having -a portion thereof extending into position for operable contact with said pressure cartridge, movement of said cartridge into contact with said valve extension being elective to release propellant from said cartridge.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said valve extension is hollow and has an inlet in communication with said pressure cartridge, and a port in said valve extension forming the inlet for said metering can.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by an O-ring normally closing said metering can inlet.

4. A garden spray including a tank adapted to contain liquid to be sprayed, a nozzle connected to the tank and adapted to spray liquid therefrom, means adapted -to cooperate With a pressure cartridge for pressurizing said tank, including a metering can attached to said tank, an inlet and outlet for said can, a movable Valve member positioned in said metering can and having a valve stem, said -Valve stem extending into position for operable contact with said pressure cartridge, said valve stem further having a portion thereof adapted to close said metering can outlet, movement of said pressure cartridge into contact with said valve stem being effective to release propellant from said cartridge and to move said valve stem into position to close said metering can outlet.

5. The structure of claim 4 further characterized by a spring in said metering can normally biasing said valve stem away from said metering can outlet.

6. The structure of claim 4 further characterized by an exhaust port for said metering can and a tloatable valve element positioned on said valve stem and ladapted lto close said exhaust port when said metering can is full of propellant.

7. The structure of claim 6 further characterized in that said oatable valve element is slideable on said valve stem.

8. The structure of claim 4 further characterized by a check valve at said metering can outlet which allows propellant to flow out of the metering can and into the tank but does not permit liquid from the tank to flow into the metering can.

9. A garden spray including a tank adapted to contain a liquid to be sprayed, a nozzle connected to the tank and adapted to spray liquid therefrom, means adapted to cooperate with a pressure cartridge, for pressurizing the tank including a metering can attached to the tank, said metering can having an inlet, a valve attached to the metering can and arranged to control the ow of a pressure fluid from the cartridge through the inlet, said can having an outlet opening into the tank, the volumes of the metering can and tank being related such that the metering can will hold an amount of propellant sucient to just completely empty the tank..

l0. The structure of claim 9 further characterized by a iioatable valve member movable in said metering can and operable to control the flow of propellant thereto.

11. The structure of claim 9 further caracterized in that said valve includes a hollow portion within said can forming a passage for directing the flow of propellant into said metering can, an opening in said valve portion in communication with the interior of said metering can and with said passage, and a valve element normally closing said opening.

l2. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that said val-ve portion is eiective to block said metering can outlet, and a spring biasing said valve portion away from said metering can outlet.

13. The structure of claim 9 further characterized by a tilling opening for said tank, a closure -for said lling opening, said metering can being attached to said closure.

14. The structure of claim 13 further characterized in that said metering can is within the tank.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,766 Wertz Jan. 15, 1935 2,443,981 Funk et al. June 22, 1948 2,857,937 Ayres Oct. 28, 1958 2,946,389 Barnes July 26, 1960 

1. A GARDEN SPRAY INCLUDING A TANK ADAPTED TO CONTAIN LIQUID TO BE SPRAYED, A NOZZLE CONNECTED TO THE TANK AND ADAPTED TO SPRAY LIQUID THEREFROM, MEANS ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH A PRESSURE CARTRIDGE FOR PRESSURIZING SAID TANK, INCLUDING A METERING CAN ATTACHED TO SAID TANK, AN INLET AND OUTLET FOR PASSING PROPELLANT INTO AND OUT OF SAID METERING CAN, A MOVABLE VALVE MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID CAN AND HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING INTO POSITION FOR OPERABLE CONTACT WITH SAID PRESSURE CARTRIDGE, MOVEMENT OF SAID CARTRIDGE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID VALVE 